2026 Cryptocurrency Six Major Trends Forecast: From Bitcoin to AI Agents

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Cryptocurrencies in 2026: Six Theories from MB | Mercado Bitcoin for the Next Year Original Link: As 2026 approaches, a certain exchange recently released a forecast report on the future direction of the cryptocurrency market. The report summarizes six key trend themes, including Bitcoin development, stablecoin expansion, the growth of altcoin ETFs, and the increase in tokenized asset scale.

The head of crypto business at the exchange stated that 2026 should solidify the new phase of the industry. “We see more mature institutional adoption, technology unlocking new capital flows, and products that connect the crypto market more directly to the traditional financial system.” This will lead to “a larger, more efficient ecosystem with increasingly measurable impact on the global financial system.”

Six Major Trends in the Cryptocurrency Market in 2026

1. Bitcoin will account for at least 14% of the gold market

Bitcoin is consolidating its position as a modern store of value, gaining ground in areas where gold is limited. Unlike gold, which requires transportation, custody, and physical infrastructure, Bitcoin is a native digital asset, easily accessible and highly flexible. It can be sent anytime across borders and stored by investors themselves. This efficiency and simplicity have driven Bitcoin’s share growth in historically gold-dominated markets. By 2026, Bitcoin is expected to reach at least 14% of the gold market cap, far exceeding the current approximately 6% share.

2. Stablecoin market will reach $500 billion

Stablecoins have expanded their application scope due to their ability to connect traditional currencies with the crypto world, serving as a means of payment and enabling resource transfers across multiple countries within seconds. Between 2024 and 2025, the stablecoin market has broken free from dependence on the crypto cycle, achieving independent growth. The total volume of stablecoins traded by investors has doubled in the past year. By 2026, the stablecoin market is expected to reach about $500 billion, an increase of over 60% from current levels, driven by US regulation, expanded use cases, and global adoption.

3. Altcoin ETFs will attract over $10 billion

In the second half of 2025, the US began approving crypto asset ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. ETFs for altcoins such as XRP, LINK, LTC, DOGE, and SOL have been launched successively. Currently, XRP ETF manages about $1 billion, Solana ETF about $600 million, and the entire segment about $1.8 billion. By the end of 2026, this market is expected to reach $10 billion, growing more than fivefold, mainly driven by XRP and Solana, which are expected to account for about 80% of new inflows.

4. Tokenized asset trading volume will grow by 200%

The tokenization model has been applied to real estate, corporate credit, government bonds, and other fields, enabling assets to be converted into tradable tokens at any time, achieving rapid settlement and full traceability. In 2025, the EU made progress in tokenization regulation, allowing banks to operate larger-scale businesses on permissioned networks. The US has recognized blockchain as an effective means of recording and transferring tokenized assets. The number of digital fixed-income investors in Brazil increased by 12.5%. With these developments, global tokenized asset trading volume is expected to grow by 200% in 2026, exceeding $54 billion.

5. Prediction markets will become the fastest-growing segment in crypto

Prediction markets allow trading the probabilities of future events (such as elections, sports outcomes, or economic indicators), reflecting the collective consensus on the most likely events. By the end of 2026, the sector’s locked capital (including on-chain platforms and regulated market open positions) is expected to reach at least $20 billion, more than 25 times the size of 2025.

This exponential growth is related to key catalysts: 2026 will host the World Cup and presidential elections in several countries, including Brazil. Additionally, the rise of new prediction markets in climate and entertainment will further drive this segment’s expansion.

6. AI agent trading volume will quadruple

AI integration into blockchain has evolved from an isolated trend to a strategic movement, driven by demand for recognizable agents, accessible historical records, and micro-payments via blockchain. Standards like x402 and ERC-8004 have begun to meet these needs, and even in early stages, trading volume is expected to exceed $1 million by the end of 2026, a fourfold increase.

This technology enables news, gaming, digital content, on-chain transactions, and AI services to achieve fast, secure micro-payments, increasing revenue, reducing intermediaries, and improving blockchain efficiency.